Sports · Cricket · 12 hrs ago
India and Zimbabwe honour Sarah Dambanevana before first T20I
India and Zimbabwe honoured Sarah Dambanevana before their first T20I in Raipur on Friday, with players and match officials wearing black armbands and observing a minute’s silence.
Dambanevana, a former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire, died earlier this week after a brief illness.
She moved into umpiring after playing for Zimbabwe and became the country’s first woman on the ICC Development Umpires Panel in 2022.
She went on to officiate in 72 senior international matches, including men’s and women’s games.
The tribute recognised a pioneering figure in Zimbabwean cricket.
The match began a three-game series, which is the first bilateral international contest between India and Zimbabwe; Smriti Mandhana began her tenure as India captain, and Niki Prasad was set to make her international debut.
India and Zimbabwe players and match officials wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before the first T20I in Raipur to honour former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire Sarah Dambanevana.
Dambanevana died earlier that week at the age of 36 following a brief illness.
She represented Zimbabwe as a fast bowler before becoming one of the country’s pioneering female match officials.
In 2022, she became the first female umpire from Zimbabwe named to the ICC Development Umpires Panel.
She officiated in 72 senior international matches, including men’s and women’s fixtures.
- Who
- India and Zimbabwe players and match officials honoured Sarah Dambanevana, a former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire.
- What
- They wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before the first T20I.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Shaheed Veer Narayan International Stadium in Raipur, India.
- Why
- Dambanevana had died earlier that week following a brief illness.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dambanevana became the first female umpire from Zimbabwe named to the ICC Development Umpires Panel.
She received her first ICC appointment at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
She made her international umpiring debut in a women’s T20I between Kenya and Botswana in Gaborone.
She officiated her final match, a T20I between Ireland and Thailand in Nepal.
India and Zimbabwe players and match officials honoured her before the first T20I in Raipur.
- Age
- 36
- Umpiring panel
- First female umpire from Zimbabwe named to the ICC Development Umpires Panel in 2022
- Senior international matches
- 72
- Men’s T20Is
- 10
- Women’s ODIs and T20Is
- 14 ODIs and 48 T20Is
4 sources
India, Zimbabwe Women's Teams Observe Silence In Memory Of Sarah Dambanevana Ahead Of 1st T20I
Why are India, Zimbabwe players wearing black armbands during 1st T20I?
Explained: Why Are India & Zimbabwe Cricketers Wearing Black Armbands
Why India and Zimbabwe players are wearing black armbands in 1st T20I in Raipur
What people are saying
The Indian Cricket Team, Zimbabwe Cricket Team and match officials are wearing black arm bands and observed a moment of silence in honour and memory of former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire Sarah Dambanevana, following her recent passing
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sarah Dambanevana.
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The Indian Cricket Team, Zimbabwe Cricket Team and match officials are wearing black arm bands and observed a moment of silence in honour and memory of former Zimbabwe cricketer and umpire Sarah Dambanevana, following her recent passing. #INDvZIM | @mflone_